Executive Overview

• Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Swanton, MD under Garrett County’s Transient Vacation Rental Unit (TVRU) framework when rented for 14 days or less, provided you obtain the TVRU license and satisfy life-safety, zoning, health, and tax requirements. Swanton does not have separate municipal STR regulations; Garrett County-level rules govern.

1. Local Authority and Contact

• Agency: Garrett County Department of Community Development – Planning & Land Management Division
  • Address: 203 South Fourth Street, Room 207, Oakland, MD 21550
  • Phone: 301-334-1920
  • Email: planning@garrettcountymd.gov
• TVRU Licensing Technician (Primary STR Contact)
  • Name: John Groves
  • Phone: 301-334-1981
  • Email: jgroves@garrettcountymd.gov
• Accommodation Tax (County Collections Office)
  • Contact: Lori Paugh (reference from TVRU page)
  • Email: lpaugh@garrettcountymd.gov

2. How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

• Step 1: Verify your property location and use
  • Confirm whether your property sits within the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning District. If yes, zoning approval applies; if not, a county zoning permit is not required (but building and TVRU licensing still apply).
• Step 2: Confirm eligibility and capacity
  • A TVRU is defined as a single-family property with complete living facilities under one roof, renting for 14 days or less, with a maximum of 8 bedrooms and occupancy of two (2) persons per bedroom plus four (4) additional persons on the property. All living facilities must be in the principal structure (no living quarters in accessory buildings, other than a game/recreation room).
• Step 3: Complete pre-license safety and site requirements
  • Egress: Proper egress window for each bedroom (minimum sizing per county standards).
  • Parking: One off-street parking space (9’ x 18’) per bedroom. For shared parking in duplex/townhouse/multi-family developments with at least 20 spaces, one space per 1.5 bedrooms is permitted. Provide a drawing/plat showing parking.
  • Bear-proof trash: Mandatory, adequate capacity (steel containers recommended).
  • Quiet hours: Post that quiet hours are 11:00 pm to 8:00 am. Include a site plan in your rental welcome book to reduce trespassing.
  • Trash service: Provide weekly collection and removal; identify your provider in the application.
• Step 4: Secure health department and utilities approvals
  • Health Department requirements: All hot tubs, pools, and spas must be maintained by a Maryland certified operator; annual well test required if on a well.
  • If your property is within the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning District, a zoning permit is required and is conditioned on Health Department and Public Utilities approvals.
• Step 5: Apply for the TVRU License
  • Submit the TVRU Licensing Procedures and the TVRU Application (all fields required).
  • Note: Payment of licensing fees can only be made via cash or check.
  • Applications expire and become void if the TVRU license is not issued within one year of application date.
• Step 6: Set up taxes and reporting
  • Garrett County Accommodation Tax (Room Tax): 8% of gross rental receipts; monthly reporting is required once licensed as a TVRU.
  • Maryland State Sales Tax: Applies to short-term rentals; register with the Comptroller of Maryland (state rate 6%; confirm whether a local sales tax applies and the final combined rate with local authorities).
• Step 7: Operate and maintain compliance
  • License is valid for two years. Display the TVRU license at the property.
  • Keep safety equipment current, post emergency info, maintain bear-proof trash, and comply with quiet hours and neighbor relations.
  • Renew every two years; update the license for any change in owner/agency.

3. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• TVRU Licensing Procedures (Garrett County).
• TVRU Application (all fields required; includes attestation for owner-managed vs. property management).
• Zoning Permit
  • Required for properties within the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning District (issued after/alongside TVRU licensing).
• Health Department Approvals
  • Certified operator for hot tubs, pools, spas; annual well test (if applicable).
• Maryland Sales Tax Registration
  • Register with the Comptroller of Maryland before first rental; confirm filings and rates.
• Accommodation Tax Registration/Reporting
  • County collections registration; monthly reporting to Garrett County Collections Office (8% of gross rental receipts).
• Safety and Life-Safety Documentation
  • Egress window compliance for each bedroom.
  • Parking plan/drawing/plat.
  • Bear-proof trash container confirmation/capacity.
  • Quiet hours posting and site plan in the welcome book.
• Ongoing Documentation
  • TVRU license (display on premises).
  • Well test records (if applicable).
  • Septic system maintenance records (if applicable).
  • Emergency contact information (local, 24/7 availability).
  • Proof of weekly trash service.

4. Specific Regulations (County-Level, Governing Swanton)

• Maximum occupancy: Two persons per bedroom plus four additional persons.
• Bedrooms: Maximum of 8 bedrooms permitted for a TVRU.
• Living facilities: Must be incorporated into the principal structure; no living quarters in accessory buildings (other than game/recreation room).
• Rent period: TVRU classification applies to rentals of 14 days or less.
• Parking: One off-street parking space per bedroom (9’ x 18’). For shared lots with at least 20 spaces (duplex/townhouse/multi-family), one space per 1.5 bedrooms. Provide a site plan/drawing.
• Egress: Proper egress window for each bedroom required.
• Quiet hours and disturbances: Standard quiet hours are 11:00 pm to 8:00 am; post in the rental and include a site plan in the welcome book to prevent trespassing.
• Bear-proof trash: Mandatory. Steel containers recommended. Minimum capacities:
  • 1–4 bedrooms: 192 gallons
  • 5–6 bedrooms: 288 gallons
  • 7–8 bedrooms: 384 gallons
• Health requirements: Certified operator required for hot tubs/pools/spas; annual well testing if on a well.
• Application validity: Applications expire if not approved and licensed within one year; re-application and re-fees required.
• License term and display: License valid for two years; must be displayed at the property.
• Zoning context: Garrett County is the only county in Maryland without countywide zoning. If your property lies inside the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning District, zoning approval is required. If outside the watershed and municipal limits, a zoning permit is not required (building permits and TVRU licensing still apply). Swanton itself has no separate municipal STR ordinances.

State-Level Notes (Maryland)

• Maryland Sales Tax applies to short-term rentals; register with the Comptroller of Maryland prior to operations.
• Safety: Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed per state law; fire extinguishers and clear egress are required.

5. Taxes for Short-Term Rentals

• Garrett County Accommodation Tax (Room Tax): 8% of gross rental receipts; monthly reporting after TVRU licensing.
  • Contact: Lori Paugh (lpaugh@garrettcountymd.gov).
• Maryland State Sales Tax: 6% (confirm local sales tax applicability and any combined rate with local authorities).
  • Register with the Comptroller of Maryland.

6. Enforcement, Violations, and Renewal

• Enforcement: Department of Planning & Land Management oversees TVRUs, coordinates with other county departments (e.g., Health Department, Collections Office).
• Common violations: Operating without a TVRU license; exceeding occupancy; failing to report/pay taxes; noise/quiet hour violations; improper trash management; non-compliant accessory buildings; lack of proper egress.
• Penalties: Citations, fines, potential license suspension or revocation.
• Renewal: TVRU license renews every two years; fee billed to the address on record. Update the license whenever owner/agency information changes.
• Appeals: A TVRU Appeal Form is available if you need to contest decisions.

7. Contact Information Summary

• Planning & Land Management Division (Main Office)
  • Phone: 301-334-1920
  • Email: planning@garrettcountymd.gov
  • Address: 203 South Fourth Street, Room 207, Oakland, MD 21550
• TVRU Licensing Contact
  • John Groves
  • Phone: 301-334-1981
  • Email: jgroves@garrettcountymd.gov
• Garrett County Accommodation Tax
  • Contact: Lori Paugh
  • Email: lpaugh@garrettcountymd.gov
• Maryland Comptroller of the Treasury (State Sales Tax)
  • Phone: 410-260-7980
  • Website: marylandtaxes.gov

8. Links to Source Pages (as provided)

• Garrett County – Transient Vacation Rental Units (TVRUs): www.garrettcountymd.gov/community-development/planning-land-management/transient-vacation-rental-units-tvrus
• TVRU Licensing Procedures: www.garrettcountymd.gov/sites/default/files/TVRU%20LICENSING%20PROCEDURE.pdf
• TVRU Application: www.garrettcountymd.gov/sites/default/files/STR%20Application.pdf
• TVRU Ordinance Requirements: www.garrettcountymd.gov/sites/default/files/tvruordinance_requirements.pdf
• TVRU Ordinance (full text): www.garrettcountymd.gov/sites/default/files/tvruordinance.pdf
• TVRU Egress Window Sizing: www.garrettcountymd.gov/sites/default/files/2023-11/TVRU%20Egress%20Window%20Sizing.pdf
• TVRU Parking Standards: www.garrettcountymd.gov/sites/default/files/2023-11/TVRU%20Parking%20Standards.pdf
• TVRU Appeal Form: www.garrettcountymd.gov/sites/default/files/tvruappealform.pdf
• TVRU Concerns: www.garrettcountymd.gov/sites/default/files/TVRU%20Concerns.pdf

Investor Notes

• Market positioning: Swanton’s proximity to Deep Creek Lake and year-round recreation (summer boating, fall foliage, winter skiing) supports demand for short-term rentals. Properties that meet or exceed safety and amenity standards (hot tubs, game rooms) typically perform better.
• Compliance is not optional: The county actively administers and enforces TVRU rules. Ensure all requirements are in place before listing.
• Taxes and reporting: Factor the 8% county accommodation tax and state sales tax into pricing; set up robust recordkeeping to meet monthly filing obligations.
• Licensing timing: Start the application process early; if approval takes longer than a year, the application expires and you must reapply. Consider engaging the Planning & Land Management Division early to confirm zoning status and any required approvals.

This guide reflects the county’s published TVRU framework and procedures. Since local interpretations can vary, always confirm current requirements with the Garrett County Planning & Land Management Division before purchasing or listing a property.